Spiders of the orb-weaver genus Parawixia in America (Araneae: Araneidae)

Parawixia are Neotropical, nocturnal orb weavers related to Acanthepeira, Eriophora, Wagneriana, and Wixia. The relationship is based mainly on synapomorphic character states of male and female genitalia. Of the 26 species of Parawixia found in collections, 10 are new, four are known only from males, six from females. There are 24 new synonyms of species and subspecies names. Most Parawixia species are found in the Amazon area primarily, and in Central America and eastern Brazil. Many species probably build webs in the canopy. The social nianduti spider (Parawixia bistriata), which made such an impression on Darwin, belongs to Paraivixia.